AUGUSTA, Ga., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Cardinal Health
today opened its first cyclotron facility in the state of Georgia,
further expanding its nationwide capability to manufacture
molecular imaging biomarkers that aid in the early diagnosis,
monitoring and treatment of cancer, neurological disorders and
heart disease.
Cyclotrons are critical to the manufacturing process for
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) molecular imaging agents, one of
the fastest-growing areas of nuclear medicine. When injected into
the body, these specialized radiopharmaceuticals, called
biomarkers, detect and trace abnormal cellular functions that are
associated with a variety of diseases. Visible using sophisticated
imaging scanners, these biomarkers make it easier for physicians to
non-invasively diagnose critical, life-threatening diseases in
their earliest stages. They can also improve physicians’ ability to
track the effectiveness of patient treatment plans.
Cardinal Health’s Augusta cyclotron facility will be located
nearby its existing nuclear pharmacy in Augusta, where the company
will dispense PET imaging agents in patient-specific doses.
Cardinal Health now operates a nationwide network of 36 cyclotrons,
with its Charlotte, N.C. cyclotron being the closest to
Augusta.
“The introduction of our newest cyclotron in Augusta underscores
Cardinal Health’s commitment to making molecular imaging more
accessible to physicians and patients in Georgia and throughout the
United States,” said John Rademacher, president of Cardinal
Health’s Nuclear Pharmacy Services business. “This innovative
technology is an important tool in improving the quality and
cost-efficiency of health care, because it helps physicians save
lives by enabling them to detect serious illnesses and determine
the effectiveness of related treatment plans.”
The new cyclotron will also support molecular imaging research
in nearby hospitals and universities, and will be available to
support c
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